“The inventive language created by doctors the world over to insult their patients – or each other – is in danger of becoming extinct.

The increasing rate of litigation means that there is a far higher chance that doctors will be asked in court to explain the exact meaning of NFN (Normal for Norfolk), FLK (Funny looking kid) or GROLIES (Guardian Reader Of Low Intelligence in Ethnic Skirt).

Dr Fox recounts the tale of one doctor who had scribbled TTFO – an expletive expression roughly translated as ‘Told To Go Away’ – on a patient’s notes.

He told BBC News Online: ‘This guy was asked by the judge what the acronym meant, and luckily for him he had the presence of mind to say: ‘To take fluids orally’…’

Top Medical Acronyms (in UK):

• CTD – Circling the Drain (A patient expected to die soon)
  
• GLM – Good looking Mum
  
• GPO – Good for Parts Only
  
• TEETH – Tried Everything Else, Try Homeopathy
  
• UBI – Unexplained Beer Injury” BBC

The author of the study hasten to add that he does not advocate the use of any of these acronyms or the numerous other examples of obloquy you’ll find in the article. He said: “I do think that doctors are genuinely more respectful of their patients these days.”